Recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa with a protective anti-tipping structural framework

ABSTRACT

A recliner furniture piece wherein the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks of the furniture piece have their forward end portions extended forwardly beyond the location at which the footrest is disposed when the footrest is located at its fully retracted position, and wherein the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks of the furniture piece have their rearward end portions extended rearwardly beyond the location at which the backrest is attached to the underlying actuator and linkage system. In this manner, the moment arms of the furniture piece are effectively increased while the moment arms of the fully extended footrest and fully reclined backrest are reduced such that the recliner furniture piece can withstand, accommodate, or tolerate increased weights or loads impressed upon the fully extended footrest and/or the fully reclined backrest.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to furniture pieces, and more particularly to a recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa having a protective anti-tipping structural framework so as to prevent tipping of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa should extra weight or force be impressed upon the footrest of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa when the footrest of the recliner chair, loveseat or sofa has been moved to its extended position, and/or to prevent tipping of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa should extra weight or force be impressed upon the backrest of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa when the backrest of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa has been moved to its inclined position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Powered recliner chairs, loveseats, and sofas have become increasingly popular within recent years as consumers choose to incorporate such furniture pieces into their homes and offices. Powered recliner chairs, loveseats, or sofas offer consumers places to relax so that they can comfortably watch TV, read a book, or even take a short nap due to the fact that the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa can be quickly transformed from an upright position to a comfortable substantially horizontal position by pressing a control button which will activate linear actuators which subsequently move the backrest and footrest sections of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa into substantially horizontal, or any intermediate positions as a result of the linear actuators being operatively connected to various linkage members pivotally attached to each other as well as to backrest and footrest mounting brackets of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa whereby the inclined backrest, the seat, and footrest sections of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa effectively form a substantially horizontal platform upon which a person may be comfortably disposed in a supine position. In addition, such furniture pieces have become so popular, that many consumers are opting to have such recliner chairs, loveseats, or sofas as part of their children's furniture.

It has been discovered, however, that, when the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa is disposed in a state wherein the footrest has been moved to its fully extended position and the backrest has been moved to its fully reclined position such that a person can normally be disposed in a supine position upon the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, the distance defined between the free end portion of the footrest relative to the front support base of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, is an arm, as is the distance defined between the free end portion of the backrest relative to the rear support base of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, wherein moment arms, acting through such distances or arms, tend to exert torque or pivotal forces upon the objects that the extended components, that is, the footrest and backrest, are attached to. Normally, even though the footrest or the back are extended or reclined respectively, the weight of the footrest acting through the front distance or arm, or the weight of the backrest acting through the rear distance or arm, is not sufficient enough to cause a large enough moment arm such that the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa to tip over. However, if a child should stand upon, crawl onto, or even jump onto, the extended footrest or reclined backrest of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, then the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa may actually tend to tip over as a result of the increased weight or force, comprising the child's body weight in addition to the weight of the footrest, effectively acting through the distance or arm defined between the free end portion of the extended footrest and the forward support base of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, so as to cause a larger moment arm to be generated. Similarly, if a child should stand upon, crawl onto, or even jump onto the reclined backrest of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, then the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa may actually tend to tip over as a result of the increased weight or force, comprising the child's body weight in addition to the weight of the backrest, effectively acting through the distance or arm defined between the free end portion of the reclined backrest and the rearward support base of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, so as to likewise cause a larger moment arm to be generated. Such increased moment arms, and the potential to cause the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa to tip over, therefore have the potential to harm the child as a result of the child effectively being thrown off the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa as it tips over, or even worse, if part of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa actually falls onto the child as a result of it tipping over from its normal upright position.

The aforenoted can be better appreciated with reference being made to FIG. 1 , which is labelled PRIOR ART and which discloses a conventional recliner chair generally indicated by the reference character 10. It is to be noted that while reference is being made to a recliner chair, as illustrated, the disclosure is likewise applicable to a loveseat or sofa. More particularly, it is seen that the recliner chair 10 comprises, in its simplest form for basic illustrative purposes only and not as a complete disclosure which is not needed for a proper understanding of the aforenoted problem, a footrest 12, a backrest 14, and an armrest framework 16 defining a pair of oppositely disposed side arms for the recliner chair 10. It is further seen that the side arm framework 16 has a trapezoidal configuration, and that the support base 18 of the side arm framework 16 has a length dimension L. Additional vertically oriented front and rear support members 20, and an upper, horizontally oriented support member 22, complete the armrest framework 16, and a linear actuator and linkage system 23 is utilized to move the footrest 12 between its retracted position and its extended position, as well as to move the backrest 14 between its upright position and its reclined position. It is to be noted that in accordance with the construction of such conventional recliner chairs, when the footrest 12 is moved to its fully retracted position, it will be substantially coplanar with the front support members 20 of the armrest framework 16. In addition, it is to also be noted that the longitudinal distance defined between the forwardmost or free end portion of the fully extended footrest 12 and the forwardmost section of the armrest framework 16, which is schematically illustrated as the forward end portion A of the support base 18 of the armrest framework 16 or chair 10, is designated as length dimension or arm LA, while the weight of the extended footrest is designated by the downward arrow FA, whereby, in effect, a forward or front moment arm MA acts upon the recliner chair 10.

In a similar manner, the longitudinal distance defined between the rearward most or free end portion of the fully reclined backrest 14 and the rearward most section of the side arm framework 16 or chair 10, which is schematically illustrated as the rearward end portion B of the support base 18 of the armrest framework 16, is designated as length dimension or arm LB, while the weight of the inclined backrest is designated by the downward arrow FB, whereby, in effect, a backward or rear moment arm MB acts upon the recliner chair 10. It is also to be noted that the weight of the recliner chair has been designated by the downward arrow G. In addition, in accordance with well-known principles of physics, the moment arms MA and MB acting upon the recliner chair 10 by means of the extended footrest 12 and the reclined backrest 14 are MA=FA×LA and MB=FB×LB, respectively. Similarly, the moment arms acting upon the recliner chair 10 by means of the weight of the recliner chair 10 are MG=G×L/2. It is also conventionally known that in accordance with standard ergonomic designs, the ratio of the distances L:LA is approximately 1.29, and the ratio of the distances L:LB is approximately 0.85, such that the recliner chair 10 can in fact support the weights of the footrest 12 and the backrest 14, when they are disposed at their fully extended and fully reclined positions, respectively, without the recliner chair 10 tipping over, although, admittedly, FIG. 1 is not drawn to scale. In other words, as long as the moment arms MA and MB of the footrest 12 and backrest 14, respectively, do not exceed, or at most equal, the moment arm MG of the recliner chair 10, the recliner chair 10 will remain stable and will not tip over even when the footrest 12 and the backrest 14 have been moved to their fully extended and fully reclined positions, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 1 .

Continuing further, let us assume that the weight G of the recliner chair 10 is fifty kilograms (50 kg), then utilizing the various aforenoted equations, we can derive the fact that the maximum load or weight FA that can be impressed upon the extended footrest 12 would be G×1.29/2 or approximately 0.65 G, or approximately 32 kg, such that the recliner chair 10 will not tip over, and that the maximum load or weight FB that can be impressed upon the reclined backrest 14 would be G×0.85/2 or approximately 0.43 G, or approximately 22kg, such that the recliner chair 10 will not tip over. Ordinarily, of course, as has been noted, even when the footrest 12 and the backrest 14 have been moved to their fully extended and fully reclined positions, respectively, the recliner chair 10 will remain stable and will not tip over because the downward forces or weights of the footrest 12 and the backrest 14, as schematically represented by the arrows FA and FB, are insufficient to cause the recliner chair 10 to tip over, even though the downward forces or weights FA and FB of the footrest 12 and the backrest 14 are acting through their arms LA and LB and generating moment arms MA and MB. In other words, this result is achieved because the downward forces or weights of the footrest 12 or the backrest 14 are less than the maximum loads or weights FA or FB that can be accommodated or tolerated by the recliner chair 10 without tipping over since the moment arms MA and MB of the footrest 12 and backrest 14, respectively, are less than, or at most equal to, the moment arm MG of the recliner chair 10. However, if a child should stand upon, crawl onto, or even jump onto the fully extended footrest 12 or the fully reclined backrest 14, then the downward force or weight FA or FB would be significantly increased as a result of the weight of the child effectively being added to the downward force or weight of the footrest 12 or backrest 14 when considered alone. Accordingly, since the downward force or weight FA or FB would now likely exceed the aforenoted maximum downward force or weight FA or FB that could effectively be accommodated or tolerated by means of the recliner chair 10 without the recliner chair 10 tipping over, that is, 32 kg and 22 kg, respectively, the recliner chair 10 would now in fact tip over due to the fact that the new, cumulative downward force or weight FA or FB, comprising the original downward force or weight of the footrest or backrest plus the added downward force or weight of the child, and acting through the arms LA and LB so as to generate new respective moment arms MA and MB, would now exceed the maximum allowable downward force or weight FA or FB of 32 kg and 22 kg, respectively, which would otherwise permit the recliner chair 10 to remain within a stable state.

Accordingly, a need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa. An additional need exists in the art for a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa wherein the deficiencies of prior art recliner chairs, loveseats, or sofas are effectively rectified. A further need exists in the art for a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa wherein the potential for the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa to tip over is effectively eliminated. A still further need exists in the art for a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa wherein the potential for the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa to tip over, should extra weight or force effectively be added to the free end portion of the footrest, when the footrest is disposed at its fully extended position, is effectively eliminated. A yet further need exists in the art for a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa wherein the potential for the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa to tip over, should extra weight or force effectively be added to the free end portion of the backrest, when the backrest is disposed at its fully reclined position, is effectively eliminated.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, a first overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa. An additional overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa wherein the deficiencies of prior art recliner chairs, loveseats, or sofas are effectively rectified. A further overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat or sofa wherein the potential for the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa to tip over is effectively eliminated. A still further overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa wherein the potential for the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa to tip over, should extra weight or force effectively be added to the free end portion of the footrest, when the footrest is disposed at its fully extended position, is effectively eliminated. A yet further overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa wherein the potential for the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa to tip over, should extra weight or force effectively be added to the free end portion of the backrest, when the backrest is disposed at its fully reclined position, is effectively eliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objectives of the present invention are achieved, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, by effectively extending the forward end portions of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa such that the forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa will extend forwardly beyond the disposition of the footrest when the footrest is disposed at its fully retracted position. Considered from an opposite perspective, it is to be appreciated that when the footrest is disposed at its fully retracted position, it will effectively be disposed at a rearwardly recessed position as considered with respect to the forward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa. In a similar manner, the rearward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa are likewise extended rearwardly such that the rearward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa will extend beyond the position at which the backrest is pivotally attached to the armrest framework of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa. Considered from an opposite perspective, it is to be appreciated that the position at which the backrest is pivotally attached to the armrest framework of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa will effectively be disposed at a forwardly recessed position as considered with respect to the rearward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa.

It is therefore to be appreciated further that by extending the forward and rearward end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed side arms of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, the new or enhanced moment arms MG′ of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, acting through the increased distances defined between the center of gravity of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa and the forwardmost and rearward most ends of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa are effectively increased, while the new moment arms MA′ and MB′ of the extended footrest and the reclined backrest, acting through the distances defined between the free end portions of the extended footrest and the reclined backrest and the forward most and rearward most ends of the pair of oppositely disposed side arms of the recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, are effectively reduced so that if the weights or downward forces acting upon extended footrest and reclined backrest are maintained the same, the new and improved recliner chair is provided with greater stability. In addition, remembering that the moment arms MA and MB are the products of the downward forces or weights FA and FB multiplied by the respective distances LA and LB through which they are acting, then it becomes apparent that as the distances LA and LB are respectively reduced, such that the new distances are now LA′ and LB′, the downward forces of weights FA and FB can be correspondingly increased to FA′ and FB′ such that the resulting moment arms MA′ and MB′ can still be related, compared, or equated to the new moment arms MG′ of the recliner chair which will be increased relative to a conventional reclined chair as a result of the new forwardly and rearwardly extended side arm sections of the new and improved recliner chair. As a result of this structural reconfiguration, the new and improved recliner chair can therefore tolerate or accommodate additional weight loads impressed upon the fully extended footrest and/or the fully reclined backrest, as can be appreciated from the aforenoted moment arm equations, whereby the new and improved recliner chair will no longer tend to tip over, and will exhibit enhanced stability, when an external weight load, such as, for example, the weight of a child, is additionally impressed upon the extended footrest and/or reclined backrest and therefore added to the weight loads of the extended footrest and reclined backrest when those weight loads are considered alone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a conventional, PRIOR ART, recliner chair schematically illustrating the interactions between the downwardly oriented forces FA, FB, and G, and how they act upon the recliner chair through their respective distances or arms LA, LB, and L/2;

FIG. 2 is a front, right side, top perspective view of a new and improved recliner chair as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the footrest and the backrest at their fully retracted and upright positions, respectively;

FIG. 3 is a rear, left side, top perspective view of the new and improved reclined chair as illustrated within FIG. 2 , wherein the left side arm section of the recliner chair has been omitted so as to provide a clearer illustration of the underlying linkage system connecting the linear actuator of the recliner chair to the footrest and backrest of the recliner chair such that when the linear actuator is actuated, the footrest and backrest are moved between their retracted and extended, and upright and reclined, positions, respectively;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed view of the underlying linkage system connecting the linear actuator of the recliner chair to the footrest and backrest of the recliner chair such that when the linear actuator is actuated, the footrest and backrest are moved between their retracted and extended, and upright and reclined, positions, respectively, FIG. 4 illustrating the footrest and backrest when they are disposed at their retracted positions;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed view of the underlying linkage system connecting the linear actuator of the recliner chair to the footrest and backrest of the recliner chair, and similar to FIG. 4 except that the footrest and backrest are disposed at their extended positions; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view of the new and improved recliner chair of the present invention schematically illustrating the interactions between the downwardly oriented forces FA′, FB′, and G′, and how they act upon the recliner chair through their respective distances or arms LA′ (LA−L1), LB′(LB−L2), and L′/2(L1+L+L2/2).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 , a detailed description of the new and improved recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 100. It is initially noted that while the principles and teachings of the present invention can be applied to a recliner chair, loveseat, or sofa, for simplicity of understanding, the disclosure will be limited to that of a recliner chair. It is additionally noted that in accordance with some aspects of the present invention, the overall structure of the new and improved recliner chair 100 of the present invention corresponds to the overall structure of the conventional, PRIOR ART recliner chair 10 as disclosed within FIG. 1 , and accordingly, component parts of the new and improved recliner chair 100 of the present that correspond to component parts of the conventional PRIOR ART recliner chair 10 will be provided with corresponding reference numbers except that they will be within the 100 series. Accordingly, it is seen that the new and improved recliner chair 100 of the present invention comprises a footrest 112, a seat 113, a backrest 114, side arm sections or frameworks 116,116, and support bases 118,118 which effectively form the underlying portions of the side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 upon which the recliner chair 100 is supported on a floor surface.

Before this disclosure proceeds further in describing the new and improved features of the new and improved recliner chair 100, which render it more stable and therefore more capable of accommodating heavier loads or weights when compared to a conventional PRIOR ART recliner chair 10 as disclosed within FIG. 1 , for full disclosure, the underlying linkage system 123, operatively connecting the single linear actuator to the footrest 112 and the backrest 114, will first be described with reference being made to FIGS. 4 and 5 . More particularly, in order to move the backrest section 114 of the chair 100, as well as the footrest section 112 of the chair 100, between their extended and retracted positions, a single, dual-directional linear actuator assembly 124 comprises a motor 126 and a telescopic rod 128 which is telescopically moved between extended and retracted positions by means of the motor 126. The motor 126 is seen to be pivotally connected to a motor mounting bracket 130 which is fixedly secured to an undersurface portion of the seat section 113, while the free end of the telescopic rod 126 of the single, dual-directional linear actuator assembly 124 is pivotally connected to a laterally extending synchronization bar 132 by means of a suitable mounting bracket 133, the opposite ends of the synchronization bar 132 being fixedly secured to a pair of laterally spaced, substantially L-shaped backrest mounting brackets 134,134 by means of suitable fasteners passing through holes 135, only one of which is visible, so as to ensure that both of the L-shaped backrest mounting brackets 134,134 synchronously move together in unison with each other. The upper end sections 136,136 of the L-shaped backrest mounting brackets 134,134 are adapted to be fixedly connected to opposite sides of the backrest 114 by means of suitable fasteners passing through holes or apertures 138,138 while terminal end portions 140,140 of the lower end sections 142,142 of the laterally spaced L-shaped backrest mounting brackets 134,134 are operatively connected to a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending seat mounting brackets 144,144, as well as to a pair of laterally spaced footrest mounting brackets 146,146, by means of a plurality of intervening, interconnected linkage members and mounting brackets which will be described shortly hereinafter. An additional pair of laterally spaced L-shaped seat mounting brackets or angle irons 148,148 are pivotally mounted to the pair of laterally spaced backrest brackets 134,134 at the vertices 150,150 where the upper end sections 136,136 of the backrest brackets 134,134 and the lower end sections 142,142 of the backrest brackets 134,134 meet, by means of pivot pins 152,152 extending through first legs of the mounting brackets or angle irons 148,148, while the second legs of the mounting brackets or angle irons 148,148 are adapted to be fixedly secured to laterally spaced rear surface portions of the seat section 113 by means of suitable fasteners being passed through holes or apertures 154,154.

With reference continuing to be made to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the operative connections defined between the pair of laterally spaced backrest mounting brackets 134,134 and the pair of laterally spaced seat mounting brackets 144,144, as well as between the pair of laterally spaced backrest mounting brackets 134,134 and the pair of laterally spaced footrest mounting brackets 146,146, by means of the aforenoted intervening and interconnected linkage members and mounting brackets, will now be described. More particularly, it is seen that the terminal end portions 140,140 of the lower end sections 142,142 of the laterally spaced L-shaped backrest brackets 134,134 are pivotally connected to first linkage members 156,156 by means of pivot pins 158,158, while the opposite ends of the first linkage members 156,156 are pivotally connected to second linkage members 160,160, having a substantially L-shaped configuration, by means of pivot pins 162,162. The vertex portions 164,164 of the second linkage members 160,160 that is, those portions of the second linkage members 160,160 at which the long, substantially vertical sections of the second linkage members 160, and the short, substantially horizontal sections of the second linkage members 160, meet, are pivotally connected to first end portions of third, longitudinally extending linkage members 166,166 by means of pivot pins 168,168, while upper end portions of the long, substantially vertical sections of each one of the second linkage members 160,160 are pivotally connected to the laterally spaced seat mounting brackets 144,144 by means of pivot pins 170,170. It is to be appreciated that each one of the laterally spaced seat mounting brackets 144,144 actually comprises a longitudinally extending angle iron comprising a vertically oriented mounting bracket section 172,172 to which the second linkage members 160,160 are pivotally attached by means of the pivot pins 170,170, and a horizontally oriented mounting bracket section 174,174 to which the seat section 113 of the chair 100 is to be fixedly attached by means of suitable fasteners which are adapted to be inserted through a plurality of holes 176,176 defined within the horizontally oriented mounting bracket section 174,174. Lastly, the second linkage members 160,160 are provided with first limit pins 178,178, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter when the overall operation of the new and improved chair 100 is discussed in detail.

Continuing further, it is seen that each one of the pair of laterally spaced footrest mounting brackets 146,146 actually comprises an angle iron, similar to each one of the seat mounting brackets 144,144, wherein it is seen that each footrest mounting bracket 146,146 comprises a first mounting bracket section 180,180 which faces inwardly so that both first mounting bracket sections 180,180 effectively face each other, and a second mounting bracket section 182,182 which is disposed at substantially 90° with respect to the first mounting bracket sections 180,180. In addition, it is seen that the opposite ends of each one of the second mounting bracket sections 182,182 are provided with holes or apertures 184,184 through which suitable fasteners may be inserted so as to fixedly attach the footrest section 112 of the chair 100 to the footrest mounting brackets 146,146. Accordingly, still further, it is seen that the second opposite end of each one of the third linkage members 166,166 is pivotally connected to an upper end portion of each one of the inwardly facing mounting bracket sections 180,180 of the footrest mounting brackets 146,146 by means of pivot pins 186,186. It is additionally seen that fourth linkage members 188,188, are pivotally mounted upon a central or intermediate portion of each one of the third linkage members 166,166 by means of pivot pins 190,190. Each one of the fourth linkage members 188,188 is also seen to have a substantially L-shaped configuration, and it is seen that the upper end portion of each one of the fourth linkage members 188,188 is pivotally connected to the vertically oriented mounting bracket section 172,172 of each seat mounting bracket 144,144 by means of a pivot pin 192,192, while the lower end portion of each one of the fourth linkage members 188,188 is pivotally connected to one end of a protective cover mounting bracket 194,194 by means of a pivot pin 196,196, the protective cover not being shown. The opposite end of each one of the protective cover mounting brackets 194,194 is pivotally connected to a respective one of the inwardly facing mounting bracket sections 180,180 of the footrest mounting brackets 146,146 by means of pivot pins 198,198. Lastly, it is seen that each one of the fourth linkage members 188,188 is provided with a second limit pin 200,200, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter when the overall operation of the new and improved chair 100 is discussed in detail.

More particularly, continuing to refer to FIGS. 4 and 5 , it can be seen that each one of the protective cover mounting brackets 194,194 actually comprises an L-shaped mounting bracket or angle iron comprising a vertically oriented, inwardly facing section 218,218, and a horizontally oriented, upwardly facing section 220,220, only one which is visible, such that the two inwardly facing sections 218,218 effectively face each other. It is further seen that each one of the vertically oriented sections 218,218 of the protective cover mounting brackets 194,194 is provided with a bore or aperture 222,222 which is adapted to receive a fastener by means of which first portions of the protective cover, not shown, will be attached, while each one of the horizontally oriented sections 220,220 is provided a pair of bores or apertures 224,224 for receiving fasteners by means of which another portion of the protective cover, not shown, is attached. Lastly, it is seen that each one of the first mounting bracket sections 180,180 of the laterally spaced footrest mounting brackets 146,146 is provided with a third limit pin 226,226, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter when the overall operation of the new and improved chair 100 is discussed in detail.

Having described substantially all of the structural components of single, dual-directional linear actuator 124 and the linkage system 123 the operation of the same will now be described. More particularly, when the recliner chair 100 is disposed in the seating position as illustrated within FIGS. 2 and 3 , the retraction of the telescopic rod 128 of the single linear actuator assembly 124 will pull the synchronization bar 132 forwardly such that the pair of laterally spaced backrest mounting brackets 134,134 will be pivoted around the pivot pins 152 in the counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, the backrest 114, fixedly secured to the backrest mounting brackets 134,134, will be moved rearwardly toward its reclined position, while the lower end sections 142,142 of the backrest mounting brackets 134,134 will cause the first linkage members 156,156 to be moved forwardly which, in turn, causes the second linkage members 160,160, which are pivotally connected to the first linkage members 156,156 by means of pivot pin connections 162,162, to likewise be pivotally moved in the counterclockwise direction around the pivot pins 170,170 which pivotally attach the second linkage members 160,160 to the seat mounting brackets 144,144. Simultaneously therewith, the second linkage members 160,160 will also cause the third linkage members 166,166, which are connected to the second linkage members 160,160 by means of pivot pins 168,168, to be moved forwardly which will, in turn, cause the fourth linkage members 188,188 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction around pivotal connections 192,192 which pivotally connect the fourth linkage members 188,188 to the vertically dependent or oriented sections 172,172 of the seat mounting brackets 144,144.

Accordingly, the lower end portions of the fourth linkage members 188,188, which are pivotally connected to the protective cover mounting brackets 194,194, will drive the protective cover mounting brackets 194,194 in the forward direction whereby, as a result of the forward movements of both the third linkage members 166,166 and the protective cover mounting brackets 194,194, wherein the protective cover mounting brackets 194,194 are pivotally connected to the footrest mounting brackets 146,146, the footrest mounting brackets 146,146, upon which the footrest section 112 of the recliner chair 100 is mounted, will be moved forwardly and upwardly toward its extended or elevated position, as a result of the pivotal movements of the footrest mounting brackets 146,146 around the upper and lower pivot pins 186,186 and 198,198, until the upper edge portions of the vertically oriented sections 218,218 of the protective cover mounting brackets 194,194 encounter the third limit pins 226,226, mounted upon the inwardly facing mounting bracket sections 180,180 of the footrest mounting brackets 146,146, such that the elevation and extension of the footrest mounting brackets 146,146, and the footrest section 106 mounted thereon, can no longer be elevated or extended, all as can best be appreciated from FIG. 5 . To the contrary, when the telescopic rod 128 of the single linear actuator assembly 124 is extended, the various aforenoted components will move in the reverse directions, it being particularly noted that when the backrest 114 and the footrest 112 are moved back to their original seating positions as illustrated within FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first and second limit pins 178,178 and 200,200, respectively mounted upon the second linkage members 160,160 and the fourth linkage members 188,188, will encounter upper edge portions of the third linkage members 166,166 so as to prevent further retractive movement of the backrest 114 and the footrest 112, as can be readily appreciated from FIG. 4 .

With reference now being made to FIGS. 2,3, and 6 , the disclosure will continue with the description as to how the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention are achieved, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, by effectively extending the forward end portions of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 of the recliner chair 100 whereby heavier loads or weights can in fact be accommodated by the new and improved recliner chair 100 as a result of the new and improved recliner chair effectively exhibiting more stability. More particularly, as can be appreciated from FIGS. 2, 3, and 6 . More particularly, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, it is seen that the oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 of the recliner chair 100 have effectively had their forward and rearward end portions extended forwardly and rearwardly as compared to the longitudinal extents of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 16,16 of a conventional or PRIOR ART recliner chair 10 as illustrated within FIG. 1 .

More specifically, it is seen, for example, as may best be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 6 , that the forward ends 228,228 of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 have been extended beyond the disposition of the footrest 112 when the footrest 112 is disposed at its fully retracted position, or at location A′. Considered from an opposite perspective, it is to be appreciated that when the footrest 112 is disposed at its fully retracted position, it will effectively be disposed at a rearwardly recessed position as considered with respect to the forward end portions 228,228 of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 of the recliner chair 100. This recessed disposition is schematically illustrated as the length dimension L1 in FIG. 6 , that is, the longitudinal distance extending rearwardly from the forward end portion 228 of the side arm section or framework 116 back to the front face of the footrest 112 when the footrest 112 is disposed at its retracted position. It can be concomitantly appreciated that the effective forward length or extent of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 has effectively been increased by means of the length dimension L1. It is also noted that L1=0.4 L although, admittedly, the drawing of FIG. 6 is not drawn to scale.

In a similar manner, it is seen, for example, as may best be appreciated from FIGS. 3 and 6 , that the rearward ends 230,230 of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 have been extended beyond the locations at which the backrest 114 is attached to the linkage system 123 by means of the substantially L-shaped backrest mounting brackets 134,134 or at location B′. Considered from an opposite perspective, it is to be appreciated that when the backrest 114 is attached to the linkage system 123, it will effectively be disposed at a forwardly recessed position as considered with respect to the rearward end portions 230,230 of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 of the recliner chair 100. This recessed disposition is schematically illustrated as the length dimension L2 in FIG. 6 , that is, the longitudinal distance extending forwardly from the rearward end portion 230 of the side arm section or framework 116 to the location at which the backrest 114 is attached to the linkage system 123. It can be concomitantly appreciated that the effective rearward length or extent of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 has effectively been increased by means of the length dimension L2. It is also noted that L2=0.75 L although, admittedly, again, the drawing of FIG. 6 is not drawn to scale. With reference continuing to be made to FIG. 6 , it is therefore seen that the new and improved recliner chair 100 now has a center of gravity G′, and that by extending the forward and rearward end portions 228,228, 230,230 of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116, 116 of the recliner chair 100, the new or enhanced moment arms MG′ of the recliner chair 100 act through the increased distances defined between the center of gravity of the recliner chair 100 and the forwardmost and rearward most ends 228,228,230, 230 of the pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections or frameworks 116,116 of the recliner chair 100, which can be appreciated to be L+L1+L2 divided by 2.

Remembering that the moment arms MA and MB are the products of the downward forces or weights FA and FB multiplied by the respective distances LA and LB through which they are acting, then it becomes apparent that as the original distances LA and LB are now respectively reduced, such that the new distances are now LA′ and LB′, wherein LA′=LA−L1 and LB′=LB−L2, then the new moment arms MA′ and MB′ are MA′=FA′×LA−L1 and MB′=FB′×LB−L2. Accordingly, since the moment arms MA′ and MB′ have been reduced, the downward forces of weights FA and FB can be effectively be increased to FA′ and FB′ such that the resulting moment arms MA′ and MB′ can still be related, compared, or equated to the new moment arms MG′ of the recliner chair 100 which will be increased relative to a conventional reclined chair as a result of the new forwardly and rearwardly extended side arm sections 116,116 of the new and improved recliner chair 100. As a result of this structural reconfiguration, the new and improved recliner chair 100 can therefore tolerate or accommodate additional weight loads impressed upon the fully extended footrest 112 and/or the fully reclined backrest 114, as can be appreciated from the aforenoted moment arm equations, whereby the new and improved recliner chair will no longer tend to tip over, and will exhibit enhanced stability, when an external weight load, such as, for example, the weight of a child, is additionally impressed upon the extended footrest 112 and/or reclined backrest 114, and therefore added to the weight loads of the extended footrest 112 and reclined backrest 114, when those weight loads are considered alone.

Considering an actual weight or downward force example as discussed in connection with FIG. 1 , from the foregoing equations that have been noted in connection with the new and improved recliner chair 100, we can determine the new forces or downwardly oriented weights FA′ and FB′ that can be tolerated or accommodated by the new and improved recliner chair 100 without the new and improved reclined chair 100 tending to tip over. More particularly, it is to be appreciated that, as previously stated, L=1.29 LA, or LA=L/1.29 or LA=0.78 L. We also know, as has been previously noted, that L1=0.4 L, and that L2=0.75 L. Therefore, the moment arm equation for the weight or load FA′ is (FA′)(LA−L1)=(G′)(L1+L+L2)/2 or (FA′)(0.78 L−0.4 L)=(G′)(0.4 L+L+0.75 L)/2 or (FA′)(0.38 L)=(G′)(2.15 L)/2. Now, if we divide both sides of the equation by L, we are left with (0.38 FA′)=(2.15 G′)/2 or (0.38 FA′)=1.07 G′ or FA′=2.81 G″. Thus, if we let G′=the same 50kg as was used in connection with the conventional chair 10 of FIG. 1 , then FA′=141 kg which is almost 4.5 times the force FA, which could be stably supported by means of the chair 10 as illustrated within FIG. 1 , without the new and improved chair 100 tending to tip over due to such increased weight or force. In a similar manner, in order to determine FB′, it has been stated that L=0.85 LB, or LB=L/0.85 or LB=1.17 L. We also know that L1=0.4 L and L2=0.75 L. Therefore, the moment arm equation for the load or weight FB′ is (FB′)(LB−L2)=(G′)(L1+L+L2)/2 or (FB′)(1.17 L−0.75 L)=(G′)(0.4 L+L+0.75 L)/2 or (FB′)(0.42 L)=(G′)(2.15 L)/2. Then if we divide both sides of the equation by L, we are left with (0.42 FB′)=(2.15 G′)/2 or (0.42 FB′)=1.07 G′ or FB′=2.55 G′. Consequently, If we let G′=the same 50 kg, then FB′=127.5 kg which is more than 5 times the force FB, which could be stably supported by means of the chair 10 as illustrated within FIG. 1 , without the new and improved chair 100 tending to tip over due to such increased weight or force.

In light of the foregoing, it is apparent that, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, by extending the side arm sections or frameworks of the recliner chair both forwardly and rearwardly beyond the location at which the footrest is disposed at its retracted position, and beyond the position at which the backrest is pivotally secured to the underlying actuator and linkage system for the recliner chair, the arms of the recliner chair are significantly increased while simultaneously, both the arm of the footrest, when disposed at its fully extended position, and the arm of the backrest when the backrest is disposed at its fully reclined position, are significantly decreased, thereby permitting significantly increased weights or loads to be added to the extended footrest and/or the reclined backrest without causing the recliner chair to tip over due to the increased stability of the recliner chair. It is to be additionally noted that different loads or weights FA′ and FB′ can be accommodated or tolerated by the new and improved recliner chair 100 of the present invention depending upon the longitudinal extent to which the side arm sections or framework structures 116,116 are respectively extended fore and aft of the location at which the footrest is disposed when fully retracted, or the location at which the backrest is attached to the recliner chair.

Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 

1. A recliner furniture piece, comprising: a seat; a footrest capable of being moved between fully extended and fully retracted positions; a backrest capable of being moved between upright and fully reclined positions; a pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections disposed upon opposite sides of said seat and operatively engaged with a floor/support surface; and an actuator and linkage system operatively connected to said footrest and said backrest so as to move said footrest between said fully extended and said fully retracted positions, and to move said backrest between said upright and fully reclined positions; wherein said pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece extend forwardly beyond said position at which said footrest is disposed when said footrest is located its fully retracted position such that forwardmost end sections of said pair of oppositely disposed forwardly extended side arm sections of said furniture piece extend a first predetermined distance equal to 0.4 L, wherein L is the length dimension of said furniture piece as defined between said location at which said footrest is fully retracted and said location at which said backrest is attached to said actuator and linkage assembly, and rearwardly beyond said position at which said backrest is operatively connected to said actuator and linkage system such that rearwardmost end sections of said pair of oppositely disposed rearwardly extended side arm sections of said furniture piece extend a second predetermined distance equal to 0.75 L, wherein L is the length dimension of said furniture piece as defined between said location at which said footrest is fully retracted and said location at which said backrest is attached to said actuator and linkage assembly, so as to effectively increase moment arm forces of said furniture piece while simultaneously reducing moment arm forces of said fully extended footrest and said fully reclined backrest, whereby said furniture piece will exhibit significantly increased stability, relative to conventional recliner chairs where oppositely disposed side arm sections do not extend forwardly by said first predetermined distance beyond said position at which said footrest is disposed when said footrest is located at its fully retracted position, and where oppositely disposed side arm sections do not extend rearwardly by said second predetermined distance beyond said position at which said backrest is operatively connected to said actuator and linkage system, in order to accommodate increased vertical loads or weights impressed upon said fully extended footrest and said fully reclined backrest such that said recliner furniture piece will not tend to tip over due to such increased vertical loads or weights impressed upon said fully extended footrest and said fully reclined backrest.
 2. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said recliner furniture piece is selected from the group comprising recliner chairs, recliner loveseats, and recliner sofas.
 3. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece are extended forwardly beyond said position at which said footrest is disposed when said footrest is located its fully retracted position so as to define forwardmost end sections upon said pair of forwardly extended oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece, whereby when said footrest is disposed at its fully retracted position, said footrest is disposed at a rearwardly recessed position with respect to said forwardmost end sections defined upon said pair of forwardly extended oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece.
 4. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece are extended rearwardly beyond said position at which said backrest is attached to said actuator and linkage system so as to define rearward most end sections upon said pair of rearwardly extended oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece, whereby when said backrest is disposed at its fully reclined position, said location at which said backrest is attached to said actuator and linkage system is disposed at a forwardly recessed position with respect to said rearward most end sections defined upon said pair of rearwardly extended oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece.
 5. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece are extended forwardly beyond said position at which said footrest is disposed when said footrest is located its fully retracted position such that said forwardmost end sections of said pair of forwardly extended oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece extend a distance equal to 0.4 L, wherein L is the length dimension of said furniture piece as defined between said location at which said footrest is fully retracted and said location at which said backrest is attached to said actuator and linkage assembly, whereby the amount of weight that can be supported upon said footrest, when said footrest is disposed at said fully extended position, is increased fivefold as compared to conventional furniture pieces that do not comprise said pair of oppositely disposed extended side arm sections.
 6. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 4, wherein: said pair of oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece are extended rearwardly beyond said position at which said backrest is attached to said actuator and linkage assembly such that said rearward most end sections of said pair of rearwardly extended oppositely disposed side arm sections of said furniture piece extend a distance equal to 0.75 L, wherein L is the length dimension of said furniture piece as defined between said location at which said footrest is fully retracted and said location at which said backrest is attached to said actuator and linkage assembly, whereby the amount of weight that can be supported upon said backrest, when said backrest is disposed at said fully reclined position, is increased at least fivefold as compared to conventional furniture pieces that do not comprise said pair of oppositely disposed extended side arm sections. 